The Santiagos reach Abuela’s home in El Salado, a small rural township and invasión in northern Colombia, named for the nearby salt mine. Mamá’s family, like Petrona’s, was forced out of their farmland by the paramilitary. The family subsequently moved to El Salado and became the first people to settle that area. Abuela operates a store out of the front room of her house. Her husband, Mamá’s father, left her for another woman; therefore, no one in the family speaks of him. Chula draws another parallel between Mamá and Petrona: Petrona’s father is also absent.

Mamá’s sister, Tía Inés, who is pregnant and lives near Abuela, comes to visit with her husband, Tío Ramiro, and their children, Tica and Memo. Mamá and Inés have a tense relationship because Inés still lives in relative poverty while Mamá’s socioeconomic situation has improved. The weather in El Salado is hot, and the whole family struggles to cope, drenching themselves with water before bed and taking turns lying under the ceiling fan. Out of boredom and homesickness, Chula dials her home phone number, expecting no answer.